Ken Schofield project manager at UBM states, "The Group needed a product that was developed from a manufacturing and distribution base. We felt that the emphasis should be on how we run our business and we looked for a product that came from the same place."
"Baan are specialists in developing ERP solutions for manufacturing and distribution companies and were chosen as they best met our strict criteria. We had to be sure that the chosen vendor would provide continuity in its product development to keep up with industry trends and changes, and to prevent the software from becoming outdated. The level of support and services as well as the professionalism of the vendor in terms of meeting individual clients needs was high on the criteria list."
Yolanda Delport Marketing and Alliances manager at Baan says, "UBM required a system that would provide them with the specific requirements to meet their manufacturing and distribution needs. UBM also had to be able to easily set up and manipulate data. Radar required a system that was flexible as well as the support of a company who had the necessary skills in Zimbabwe. These two factors were vitally important."
Schofield elaborates, "The Group believes that the major benefits of the Baan system is its relative ease of use, flexibility, analysis and trading conditions and its ability to pinpoint origination of documentation.
"From an operational point of view the Baan software will help us to analyse sales and gross profit more efficiently and accurately. Using the information supplied our purchasing decisions can be more substantive and as result the group will have the ability to effect rapid price changes in a very unstable macroeconomic environment.
Valuable information concerning industry trading conditions will now also be readily available to the Group."
Schofield advises potential users "when choosing an ERP vendor one must ensure that the vendor is very strong in service and support during the implementation stages, so that it can respond to problems that arise in a timeous fashion. The user needs to be aware of whether the software is in its growth or maturity phase.
While products in the growth stage are often seen as favourable, it could lead to a shortage of skills and as a result the implementer could be in the position where he cannot provide the necessary service. Experience in your companies industry is therefore vital. The vendors also need to have close business relationships (i.e. with a database specialist) to provide the necessary support."
Concludes Schofield, " ERP solutions provide the integration of valuable information to an organisation and when it is implemented the entire organisation is dependent on it. It is of paramount importance that companies choose vendors that they perceive as strategic business partners who add value to their organisation."
About Baan SA
The Baan Company is a leading vendor of enterprise-wide and cross-enterprise standard business administration software. The architecture of the Baan software permits rapid introduction and continuous adjustment, thus supporting the management of corporate processes, particularly in the auto, aviation, electrical and electronics industries, process-based and project-oriented companies.
The Baan Company has an installed base of 4000, involving some 2 400 customers in more than 59 countries, and employs more than 3 500 workers. The company was founded in 1978, and is headquartered in Putten, Netherlands and Menlo Park, California. The company`s shares are quoted at NASDAQ (BAANF) and the stock markets of Amsterdam and Frankfurt (WPKN 895467).
Baan has been represented in South Africa since 1989 by the Q Data group company QMCS. In 1995 Baan took over the company from Q Data and a wholly owned subsidiary Baan South Africa was formed. Its client base consists of more than 60 leading organisations countrywide.
About UBM
United Builder Merchants is a division of Radar Investments, a Bulawayo based company. Radar is primarily a manufacturing company geared toward the construction sector with Radar Metal Industries producing windows and doors, Macdonald Bricks and Hogarths Engineering. Radar Castings is based in Gweru.
UBM, sources worldwide from Argentina, Brazil, China, Italy, Kenya, South Africa, United Kingdom and Zimbabwe and has a market share in Zimbabwe of 30%.
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